The Firm Book 4: Allegiant by Cora Rose & Lark Taylor

 

The Firm Book 4

Some ghosts never stop haunting you.

Mine wears the face of the only boy who ever knew the real me.

His blood stains my conscience, and the guilt I carry keeps everyone in my life at arm's length. I don't deserve love. I don't deserve forgiveness. After what I've done, I only deserve the darkness.

Then a handsome lumberjack of a stranger walks into my dance studio. And I crave him. I need him.

Not to save me, or to fix me. I need him to help me forget. Just for a little while. Samson Buckingham is the perfect distraction.

But getting involved is dangerous. Not because of his family ties or the violence he's clearly capable of, but because I promised myself I'd never let anyone get close again. And Samson is the only man who could make me risk unearthing the parts of me long buried…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249093200-allegiant

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s Samson’s turn! The one who vowed he wouldn’t fall in love and all it took was one look at Rowan and he was a goner. When Samson is sent on his next mission, he stops in his tracks when he lays eyes on Rowan. The beautiful dancer who was born to be on stage…and does not look or act like a killer. The Firm takes out the bad guys. And Samson knows deep in his gut something is off. He’ll protect Rowan at all costs to prove it and find out exactly why someone wanted Rowan gone. Rowan is lost in his grief. His best friend is dead and he only blames himself. For not being there when his best friend needed him most. The only thing that keeps him truly going is dance. He won’t ever let anyone into his heart again. Because every person he has ever loved is gone. Then Samson enters his life and the walls Rowan built around his heart are threatened. And anything good that has come into his life has been taken away. So trusting Samson to stay? May just be impossible and too good to be true. Oh boy, what a story! I adored these two. Samson has truly pushed down a lot of who he is because of how he was raised, but Rowan gives him a safe place to be himself. Especially when it comes to his love of dance. He didn’t know he could fall for someone so fast and so easily, but he can’t let Rowan go. Never. Even when the secrets of his life and family threaten to break them. And for Rowan, he has dealt with so much loss, it’s been so hard to trust again. And he does with Samson. And even when bad things come, he proves his strength and his ability to loved. Absolutely loved getting to know these two and see them fall for one another so hard. We got a sneak peek of the next book and oh boy!! Is that going to be crazy. Two brothers to go and I can’t wait to see how their stories go!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Legacy of Deth Book 2: Vile Acts by Crea Reitan

 

Legacy of Deth Book 2

The missing black paint told of horrors…

Sometimes rescuing someone once isn’t enough to banish their demons. This is something that has haunted the Deth brothers for a decade. Erez can’t let it go.

It took him ten years to prove that his baby sister didn’t die accidentally. Ten years to uncover horrors that he never imagined plagued her behind the smile she wore.

Now that he’s discovered the truth, Erez and his family are ready to usher in the days of reckoning for such vile acts committed against his sister.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249497925-vile-acts

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Fade has been in love with his best friend for the last five years. But getting Erez to notice? Complete failure. The man is truly oblivious. Doesn’t matter how many dates has taken Erez on or how openly his flirts or states it outright, Erez is just not seeing it in the most true manner. So why hasn’t Fade given up or moved on? Because Fade knows his best friend of the last five years and there is something underneath the surface going on and maybe until he surfaces from that, he won’t see what’s in front of him. And turns out, Fade is right. Erez hasn’t been the same since his sister died. Ten years later and he is haunted by her suicide. He knows she wouldn’t have left with a goodbye but he hasn’t found it. Even when he should have given up long ago, something in his gut tells him he missed something. And for the first time in a long time, he finds a clue. It unlocks the deeper horrors his sister had been through before Erez literally saved her life and brought her home to his family. And he has his family and his best friend, helping them solve the hardest puzzle yet. The answers they find are horrifying in so many terrible, terrible ways. But with each new find, Erez is waking up, maybe even healing in a way, and maybe it will finally let him see what has been in front of him all along. Wow! Definitely one of the more darker books in the Crea-universe, but still so good. I was definitely rooting for Erez to find the answers he had been searching for for so long and glad to see he gets answers. Even when the answers aren’t exactly great. And through the darkness, I loved watching Erez finally see his best friend for the first time. It was truly like he was waking up in a way from his grief. I loved Erez and Fade’s relationship and seeing how close they were as friends and watching it shift into something so much more. It may take Erez a while (yes, a whole while), but the end is so worth it for them to get their happy ending. A great book overall, and I can’t wait to see our last Deth sibling get his book!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wings of Pixie Hollow Book 2: Wings of Reverie by Anna Bright

Wings of Pixie Hollow Book 2

 

Centuries after the events of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wings of Starlight, two fairies must battle a dangerous magic—and their growing feelings for each other—in order to save their home in the Winter Woods of Pixie Hollow.

When frost fairy Periwinkle travels too close to the forbidden border where Spring meets the Winter Woods, she unknowingly discovers a thread of a lost magic. And, for the first time, she begins to dream. While Periwinkle’s dreams start sweet, they slowly morph into more disastrous visions of the Pixie Dust Tree—the life source for all of Pixie Hollow—destroyed. Soon Periwinkle is confronted by a sparrow man who knows two one, that Peri has been dreaming, and two, that the Winter Woods is in terrible danger. 

The infuriatingly handsome stranger introduces himself as Weaver, claiming to be a dream-talent, the last of his kind. There's a chance he can spin Periwinkle's dreams into dream thread which could protect the Pixie Dust Tree. But to do so, they will have to embark on a quest to find a magic spindle and scissors in the legendary lost fairy workshops of dream-talents past.

Peri begins a reluctant journey with Weaver through the uncharted heart of the Winter Woods. But dreaming is dangerous, and as Peri’s dreams begin to unravel, she will start to question everything she thought she knew. For in Winter even beautiful things can hurt you… and Weaver is no exception.

Return to Pixie Hollow with this exciting new story set in the world of Wings of Starlight several hundred years in the future.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243701828-wings-of-reverie

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I have a soft spot for the fairies of Pixie Hollow. And I was so excited to see a story about Periwinkle! Set after Wings of Starlight by before she meets Tinker Bell, Periwinkle has her own adventure. When Periwinkle stumbles upon a piece of lost magic, she finds herself dreaming for the first time. But they aren’t always sweet, nightmares plague her too. And it starts to feel like they are telling her something is about to happen to the Pixie Dust Tree. Then Periwinkle meets Weaver. Weaver is a dream talent, something no one else knows because it’s a lost talent. He has had to figure out things for himself. But he tells Periwinkle that he needs her help. This sparks their journey together. Learning about dream talents and constantly butting heads along the way. That is until they realize they just might be a better match for one another than they realize. I adored this book! Lots of twists and turns in the story. It definitely keeps you on your toes. I also just loved Periwinkle and Weaver. Their banter and a bit of enemies-to-lovers vibes was great. And they really were exactly what the other needed. I loved watching them fall for one another through all the ups and downs. Overall, just a really great story. If you love this world, you won’t be disappointed! And I hope to see more in the future!

South Shore Serpents Book 1: Monstrous Serpent by EV Olsen

 

South Shore Serpent Book 1

I was never anyone's first choice. Until two monsters made me their only one.

One bad decision leads me into the woods and straight into the hands of two masked strangers who chase me through the dark, pin me down, and leave me questioning everything I thought I knew about myself.

Then I learn who they are.

Serpents.

And not just any Serpents, but six-foot-ten Hunter Kincaid and his other half, six-foot-eight Atlas Trembley.

Atlas gets under my skin like a splinter. He fights me, steals from me, and doesn't care that I want to kill him. He's counting on it.

Hunter doesn't speak. He takes. He decides. And he's decided on me.

They even call me Little Titan like I belong to them.

The worst part?

I want to belong to the two hockey players who fight over marshmallows and look at me like I'm the best thing that's ever happened to them.

But Hunter's past isn't done with him. And when it threatens to tear us apart, I learn exactly what kind of monsters my Serpents are.

Tropes:

MMM

Hockey Romance

Enemies to Lovers

Best Friends to Lovers

Masked men

Bi Awakening

Pining

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244784614-monstrous-serpent

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint! We return to this world of dark romance hockey but now we aren’t just with the Titans but with the Serpents. Out Titan, Cody, never imagined when he caught his girlfriend cheating on him, he would become the target of two Serpents, Atlas and Hunter. The two of them decided Cody was theirs and they aren’t letting him go. Not for anything. Hunter and Atlas are closer than any two people can get. Held together by friendship and surviving some pretty horrible things. And while Atlas knows how he feels about Hunter, getting Hunter to admit it is a whole other thing. Hunter can’t lose his best friend, his anchor. Better to deny they are anything more and cross any lines with just the two of them to make sure. But when they realize what Cody could be to them, it is only a matter of time until he’ll have to acknowledge his own feelings about his best friends. Cody doesn’t understand how he feels anything toward Atlas and Hunter. They fight on and off the ice, but the moment they put their hands on one another? Logic goes out the window. And maybe even his heart. There’s a lot of secrets and the past may threaten to tear them apart, but these three won’t let go of one another without a fight. I loved this book! The banter between these guys was absolutely the best and hilarious. We get those dark elements we have seen with the Titans series and now spilled over to the Serpents. Turns out, these teams aren’t so different. And it looks like we’ll definitely have some interesting stories to tell in this series and I can’t wait!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 5: The Lion and the Deathless Dark by Carissa Broadbent

 

Crowns of Nyaxia Book 5

#1 New York Times bestselling author and BookTok sensation Carissa Broadbent returns with a brand new novel in the Crowns of Nyaxia series, The Lion & the Deathless Dark – the first book in the Bloodborn Duet.

Some blood tastes like vengeance. Some blood tastes like grief. Some blood tastes like nothing at all.

Under an eternal night, the world has been ravaged by ten years of war between humans and vampires. Kyrene scrapes by as a bounty hunter, bearing a blessed sword from the goddess of justice. But in the wake of a devastating loss, Kyrene commits a crime that makes her a target for mortals and gods alike – and she is still desperate for vengeance.

Her only chance at survival – and revenge – is making a deal with her enemy, the silver-tongue vampire prince, Septimus, who offers her one final to slay the gods themselves.

Together, Kyrene and Septimus must hunt the ultimate marks, all while navigating a web of prophecies and curses. Septimus is calculating and mysterious, masking secrets bloodthirsty enough to consume them both. Yet, most dangerous of all, Kyrene finds an unexpected kinship in him.

But their growing attraction is deadly in a world where the only currency is blood. And Kyrene will stop at nothing to fulfill her ultimate goal: to kill the goddess of vampires, even if it means sacrificing love for revenge.

Every kingdom breaks...Every ruler kneels...This is how a pantheon falls.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240019929-the-lion-the-deathless-dark

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

It’s been since the sun was lost to the endless night and the war has begun. A lot has happened since then. And for those who have been patiently waiting, we finally get Septimus’s story! Well, maybe not his point of view in this book, but we finally get to see what he has been truly up to. He’s been plotting away for a long time. We know to break the curse on his kingdom, but we learn just how deep that goes. How much plotting he has truly been doing that has all lead to these moments. And in the end, he needs Kyrene. Kyrene wields the sword of the goddess of justice. For the last ten years she has been doing the goddess’s bidding. But after a devastating loss, she commits quite the crime. Killing a god. And she isn’t done. Her swords deals with justice and she will have it. She will just have to work with Septimus to get it. Because he needs less gods in the world as well. But it is no easy task and the kinship they find between them only grows. Leading to quite a crazy ending. Absolutely loved this book. It kept you on your toes the whole way through. Just when you think you learn one thing, something throws you for a loop. And I loved getting to know Septimus and Kyrene. Watching these two become closer and closer, fighting for one another, and trying so hard to do some good despite feeling like they are monsters themselves. Yeah, these two were fantastic and I can’t wait for more.  And that ending? Wow! I need to get my hands on the next book asap. I can’t wait to see how it all ends. 

Creepin U Season 2 Book 8: Operation: Ogre by Mars Quinn

 

Creepin U Season 2 Book 8

We’re just friends. Nothing more.

Jaxon

My crush on the hot ogre goalie isn’t going anywhere, but my best friend and roommate, Christopher, is certain that he can help me and Aaron get together. Chris should know; he’s famous on campus for his hook-ups and dates. I’m hesitant about his plan, but I can never say no to Christopher. And then I will be with Aaron, and that’s what I want, right?

Christopher

Jaxon, my shy ogre best friend, needs my help to get Aaron, one of the most popular guys in school. I’ll help him, of course--I’d do anything for Jaxon--but I have no experience with romance besides fictional. So armed with romance books and a foolproof plan, I decide we’ll pretend to date each other to make Aaron jealous. It’s genius and will definitely work! Nothing is going to get in the way of my plan, not my annoying siblings, not my lack of dating experience, and definitely not this odd feeling I have when I see Aaron and Jaxon together.

You are formally readmitted to Creelin University, known locally as “Creepin U.” The only thing wilder than the monsters prowling around the campus are the spicy MM love stories unfolding between the classes. This is a stand-alone romance with an introverted ogre, his mandated extroverted human, friends-to-lovers, fake dating, and lots of feels. This book is intended for adult audiences only.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252781622-operation

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

Returning to Creepin U and I’m so excited! I’m kicking this off with Jaxon and Chris! Chris and Jaxon have been inseparable since meeting at Creepin U. Best friends and roommates. When they return from their summer vacation to start the new semester, they are more than happy to see one another. Even with the amount of time they spent together over the summer. And when Jaxon admits to Chris he may like another ogre, Chris is ready to help! Though there are some mixed feelings about it. Chris has a reputation when it comes to romance but the truth is, he has no experience at all. He just can’t escape the lie that started way back in high school. And then there is the fact that there is something bothering him about Jaxon being into someone else. Jaxon may have said he he had a crush, but almost the moment Chris starts to help his crush notice him, Jaxon comes to the realization that the only person’s attention he truly wants is Chris’s. And the moment they kiss? It’s over for both of them. And while Jaxon knows he wants Chris forever, Chris fears losing his best friend. Can they put away their fears long enough to realize that the two of them together is everything they could have ever wanted? So sweet! I adored these two. Truly best friends to lovers. It was clear that these two were meant for one another. I actually love the little twists this took when it came to the fake dating tropes. And that Jaxon was quick to realize who his true feelings were for. A great way for me to kick off this new season of Creepin U! And I’m excited for so much more!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

NY Rush Book 1: Rookie Attraction by Ava Olsen

 

NY Rush Book 1

Selwin

I planned on coming out in the NHL. I didn't plan on having to switch teams to survive it.

With the New York Rush, keeping my head down should be safe—until rookie defenseman Finn Baran shows up. Finn is talented, determined, impossible to ignore. Every late-night conversation and every stolen glance on the ice pulls me closer to a line I swore I'd never cross.

Falling for my teammate was never part of the playbook.

Finn

After going undrafted, I thought my hockey dreams were over. A last-minute tryout with the Rush gives me one more chance—and puts me face-to-face with Selwin Kirkland, a player I've admired for years.

Our chemistry is undeniable.

The timing couldn't be worse.

As friendship turns into something more, we have to decide if protecting our careers is worth losing the one thing we never saw coming: each other.

Rookie Attraction is a bi awakening, friends-to-lovers, hurt/comfort MM hockey romance. Book 1 of the NY Rush series—where love doesn't play by hockey rules.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240635583-rookie-attraction

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My Review: 4/5 Stars

When Sel decided it was time to stop hiding who he was and announce he was bisexual, he never imagined just how bad the reactions could be. Especially from his own NHL team. The team he thought of as family. The moment he walks into the locker room, things are bad and escalate to the point where he knows he needs to leave or risk his safety. Being traded to the NY Rush has to be a new and fresh start. And luckily most of the team seems to be good with him. But even better is seeing a familiar face that he knows is definitely okay with him. Finn is beyond excited to be with the NY Rush and even more so when he learns that Sel was traded to the team. He has always admired Sel and after meeting him over the summer, he feels good that they can be friends. And even partners on the ice. But their friendship slowly turns into so much more as they get to know one another. And while Sel fears Finn’s future if they get involved, Finn is also someone who knows what he wants. So it’s only a matter of time until that pull between them will be too much to resist. Great start to this new series! Sel and Finn have great chemistry on and off the ice. They are really perfect for one another and balance each other out so well. Both of them have a lot going on in their lives, but they can lean on one another. I loved watching their friendship blossom to more. And I’m super excited for book two!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.